Three years after joining Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society, Black Hills State University was recognized as a Chapter of Merit.

The award is given to chapters that excel in recognizing and promoting academic excellence in all fields of higher education. The Board of Directors of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi approved BHSU’s petition for a chapter in early 2009.

The Chapter of Merit distinction is a part of the Phi Kappa Phi Society’s Chapter Recognition Program, which acknowledged 54 Chapters of Merit this year. By receiving the Chapter of Merit distinction, the BHSU chapter is recognized as a thriving organization that meets frequently, holds annual initiations and applies frequently for Phi Kappa Phi’s select scholarships, grants and fellowships.

“This is our first time receiving this award, so it represents a significant step forward for us as an organization,” according to Dr. Daniel Swenson, BHSU assistant professor and chapter president. “This is an important validation for us because we are such a new chapter, having formed in 2009. I would like to thank our members, our administration, and the individuals at Phi Kappa Phi headquarters in Baton Rouge. We look forward to building on this success.”

Nearly 200 students, faculty and staff have been inducted into the honor society since its inception, Swenson said. Building on their recent success, members of the honor society plan to increase their role oncampus and have some events in the planning stages for the current academicyear.

Chapters receiving the Chapter of Merit distinction receive:

A commendation letter from the Society sent to the chapter officers and campus administration

Special recognition on the Society’s website and publications

Specially designed logo for use in chapter communications

Recognition advertisements in local media and educational journals

$100 Award

Founded in 1897, at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phiis the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North American and the Philippines.